Overview & Reviews

Why are Honda vehicles so highly regarded by American drivers? Certainly, their excellent reputation for reliability and quality is a major factor. But it also has to do with the overall driving and owning experience. Read any Honda review and you'll likely notice common themes such as thoughtful design, a friendly nature, better-than-average fuel economy and attention to safety.

Japan-based Honda Motor Company was founded in 1948 by Soichiro Honda. The company got its start making motorbikes. Japan had been rendered cash poor and fuel-starved after World War II, and its citizens were hurting for an inexpensive, fuel-efficient mode of transportation. Honda's first motorcycles mated engines with bicycles to create a motorbike that was cheap to make and operate.

Honda's bikes quickly evolved into vehicles far more sophisticated than small engines stuck into bicycle frames. The manufacturer's 1949 D-Type could reach speeds of up to 50 mph, and offered front and rear suspension. The 1950s saw the launch of the successful Juno scooter, built to steal market share from the Vespa knockoffs that were popular in Japan at that time. In the latter part of that decade, Honda introduced the ultra-successful C100 Super Cub. The motorbike was remarkably easy to operate and featured a crossbar-free frame that made it popular with women. It went on to become the first Honda motorbike sold in the U.S. via then-new American Honda Co. in 1959.

By the early 1960s, Honda had built its first automobiles for the Japanese home market and entered Formula One racing. But it wasn't until 1970 that it exported its first car, the diminutive N600, to the U.S. The automaker initially had a hard time sparking interest among American buyers, but that all changed in 1973 with the introduction of the Civic. The car was larger than Honda's previous models even though it was still very petite compared to compact American cars. The Civic's high fuel efficiency (an important selling point given that decade's energy crisis) and affordability made it Honda's first American success story. By 1976, the Civic had been joined by the Accord, which quickly became a favorite with U.S. consumers as well.

By the 1980s, Honda's success and its reputation as a maker of well-built reliable cars and motorcycles continued to grow. It began building Accords in the U.S. in 1982 and by 1989 had earned the distinction of making America's most popular car. This was also the decade in which Honda created the Acura brand as a way to sell more upscale and luxurious vehicles. Throughout this decade and into the 1990s, the Civic and Accord were huge sellers and considered class benchmarks. Also during this time, Honda continued to innovate through such technologies as variable valve timing, aluminum body construction and improved safety features.

Today, Honda's lineup runs the gamut. Included are fuel-sipping hybrids, a spacious minivan, reliable family sedans, practical SUVs and even a pickup. Although the latest Civic and Accord aren't quite the benchmarks they once were for their respective classes, Honda's brand as a whole continues to be one of the most well respected in the industry, with millions of loyal and satisfied customers.

User Reviews:

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  Repeat buyer - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By DDC - September 21 - 6:15 pm

  Great vehicle this is my third one. Nice levels of comfort, reliability, fuel economy and power.

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  2015 EX-L Coupe V6 6MT HFP San Marino Red - 2015 Honda Accord
  By Ed Sloan - September 21 - 1:30 am

  The HFP kit was an expensive option but well worth it. The suspension upgrade increases handling tremendously, the wheel/tire upgrade is a no brainier. The aero kits give an already aggressive stance a boost. Honestly, Im amazed by how many people are taking pictures or asking about the car in parking lots. The 6spd manual transmission is as smooth as silk shifting and the clutch wont wear you out in rush hour traffic on freeways. A lot of people complain about the interior in lower trim levels but the EX-L trim level has a very nice interior. Power from the V6 is really good and the car seems faster than a lot of vehicles with comparable power to weight ratios. I also installed the Borla axle back exhaust which gives the car a very pleasing note and even some burbling when letting off the power. Well worth the $700 extra cost.

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  uncomfortable seats - 2013 Honda Civic
  By jackie adams - September 20 - 7:11 pm

  The gas mileage is great but taking a trip this is not the car to drive. My back and hips hurt so bad I can hardly stand. After my trip it has been hard going back to work I wish I can find a replace seat.

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  crv - 1999 Honda CR-V
  By mack - September 20 - 1:40 pm

  It was a great SUV. Enjoying going fishing,hunting,camping, and road trips with it. But any crv from year 1996 to 2000 has recall on ignition/electrical problem. My 99 crv die on me a few times when i was driving, everything shut down, hard to steer the wheel, brake padel was hard to press on. Any automatic AWD transmission has problem . AWD transmission cost from $750 to $1200. FWS transmission is about half the price. Most older model 4WD crv being sold on craigslist had transmission problem.

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  Sallys one and only car - 1994 Honda Accord
  By Sally Timmins - September 20 - 11:03 am

  I have had the car for 21years and had little trouble with it. I take good care of it, It gets waxed at least once a year. I bought it new for 20,100.00 It is a Honda accord 4 door xl, It is white and never repainted. Timing belt has been changed twice. I had the muffler replaced in 2001 by Midas and recently had the muffler replaced again in 2015, Was charged only for labor. Its a good running car and had little trouble with it all these years. I have 157000 miles on it and it still runs good. Had the air conditioner fluid, recharged a/c is great. My children and grandchildren have driven it from time to time. I wouldnt trade it , I am hoping and waiting to get to 25 years .

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  My brand new 2014 Honda Civic EX keeps leaking! - 2014 Honda Civic
  By Jorge Molina - September 20 - 10:19 am

  I bought this car in Nov of 2014 to replace my old 1989 BMW because this last one had some terrible leaks. I was tired of dealing with this so I decide to finally purchase a brand new vehicle and say "good bye" to problems. Well, in August of 2015 (not even a whole year after the purchase) I took my new civic to get its first oil change after about 8000 miles. When I was picking up my car, the service guys at Honda recommended me to take care of an "important" leak (leak!) that the car has, What??? yes, my brand new Honda civic, which I bought to get rid of the leaks and issues that I was having with my old BMW, was leaking transmission fluid. At this point I have taken the car to repair the same issue two times. The people at Honda told me that the issue has to do with the o-ring and the rear main seal. They even applied a dye and kept the car overnight to "make sure" that the problem was fixed. At this exact moment (when I wrote this review) I had the suspicious that the car is still leaking. I am very frustrated with this car. At this point I feel like Honda sold me a brand new lemon car and that really irritates me. My only hope is that if I confirmed that the car is a lemon car, Honda refund me or replace my car for another one. Otherwise, I would never buy or recommend Honda again in my life. By the way, and just to be fair, despite of the very annoying leak that the car has, the car works great.

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  Very Disappointed Honda should be ashamed - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Nicole Franks - September 20 - 8:45 am

  As with other people. Wish never purchased this car. Dealer covers up the issue with vibration just to get them off the lot. Then will not acknowledge or make an attempt to help. It has gotten to the point that asked them to buy back the car. There offer a 5k loss. They admitted do not want to take the loss themselves nothing they could do. Sales manager showed me the door. Now car sitting in driveway with 59 payments to go.

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  VCM a total flaw - 2008 Honda Odyssey
  By Herb Tolawinski - September 19 - 10:57 pm

  Wish I could like the car but Im tired of the repeated visits to the dealer to fix what really is a faulty engineering issue. VCM creates more problems than it solves. I wish that wasnt so. The Honda techs are saying this and, almost, apologetic about it. I wish that I could do my part to cut down on fuel consumption to be environmentally friendly. The problem is, the poorly implemented VCM causes me to go through 5 quarts of oil every 5,000 miles. Ive had to replace cylinder rings and motor mounts and things are still not right. Theres a TSB for this thats supposed to cover 2008+ vehicles but, for whatever reason, it doesnt apply to mine. So Im stuck with the options to sell it (and pass this nightmare on to someone else who will develop the same feelings about Honda as I) or to remain on a first name basis with the Service Manager.

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  Buyer Beware - Vibration & Poor Tire Performance - 2015 Honda CR-V
  By Unhappy - September 19 - 7:16 pm

  Pointed after buying first Honda 1 week ago. Took a 300 mile one way trip and the tire warning light came on after only 700 miles on the car. Check the manual and check the tires and adjusted inflation got on the road and the rear tire went flat. Before stopping at a tire company as an emergency stop we called the dealer - Scott Robinson Honda of Torrance, California - where we purchased the car and the general manager advised that the tires were not covered under the 7 year warranty all maintenance paid contract. Say what? This is not normal wear and tear you would expect a brand new car to be able to take a simple 300 mi trip (one way) and return home safely. We also noticed the car vibrating at 65 70 miles per hour speed which isnt the main concern but it definitely doesnt make for a happy customer. When we purchased the car we thought we were getting the navigation with it our fault we didnt test it and come to find out no navigation so - live and learn - do not leave any dealership without thoroughly checking every feature of your car!

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  Hondas new Prelude - 2013 Honda Accord
  By Anand K - September 19 - 3:24 pm

  Nutshell -- Pros: Sleek looks, surprisingly roomy, surprisingly fast, surprisingly efficient, surprisingly sporty - just surprising. Amazing tech and build quality, too. Cons: Slam-you-into-the-ceiling sporty/bumpy ride, poorly designed paddle shifters. Overall: The next Prelude, with Mercedes CLA specs. I traded my 2010 Altima for a 2013 Accord and it was one of the better purchase decisions Ive made. I cant believe what Honda has packed into this beast at this reasonable price point. Performance: Heres where it shines. Yes, its only got 4 cylinders. But, it has 185 horsepower and as many lb-ft of torque... and most of thats ready to go before 4000 RPM (unlike most Honda engines). Smash the gas, the engines at 4000RPM almost immediately, and your neck almost snaps. The CVT doesnt sound like one -- Honda made sure that lead footed drivers are rewarded with what sounds like a Prelude engine with a 7 speed transmission shifting it! Handling is at the norm for a Honda sport-class vehicle - The car goes where you point it. Even the interior is sport-oriented, with VERY well bolstered front seats and carbon fiber like trim. The car will really fool you into pretending youre sitting in something sportier than the two door version of a large family sedan. The only real thing to watch for here are the paddle shifters -- you can use them in Sport mode and pretend youre shifting up or down as if driving an F1 car. In all honesty, the paddles are small and its much more intuitive to grab whats *behind* them instead. In this case, expect to hit the windshield mist wiper stalk while shifting up, and the high beam flasher while shifting down. Build Quality: All Hondas shine in this department and the 2013 Accord Coupe is no exception. The doors slam shut with remarkable tightness for a 2-door. Top quality materials include perforated leather (EXL/EXV6) and aluminum-toned carbon fiber-type trim. Vibration is virtually nil, even on rough surfaces. One poor choice Honda made, though, was that glossy honeycomb pattern mess that goes across the front below the aluminum trim. Comfort: The EX-L/V6 models are decked out with pretty much everything imaginable for the class. Dual zone climate control, 10-way power seat, moonroof, and anything else you can cram into a sub-$30k car. The back seat will fit two 6 adults comfortably for under-2-hour trips. Coming from a 2010 Altima, though, the Accord coupes very intimate (read: rough) ride was rather jarring until I got used to it. It all comes with the sporty territory, anyways. Tech: The Accord went from being a behind-the-class piece of tech equipment straight to the top of its class. The HondaLink system is amazing (providing you have compatible devices). Its surprisingly easy to use (take it from someone whos used to using an array of 50 buttons to control his audio system). However, if youre intimidated by tech -- I wont lie here -- youre really going to hate this system Luddites need not apply. Efficiency: Now that Honda finally figured out the meaning of low-end torque, engine power is available to you at more usual speeds -- This translates to not just better acceleration, but also better fuel economy. The coupe claims 25/36 city/highway, although my own measurements have been a bit narrower (closer to 29/34 city/highway). Most of my driving is city, so I cant complain. You can even lead-foot every start (like I did on my first tank) and still get about 24 MPG city(!). Safety: This runs in the Accords bloodline. In addition to the highest level of active safety (i.e., good handling and braking), the Accord has lane departure warning (which can thankfully be kept off if you live in an area with narrow lanes, as I do), forward collision warning (an amber light that flashes at the base of your windshield when you get a wee bit too close to something), a rear view backup camera with wide angle, and something new for its class -- a right turn blindspot camera, which activates when you hit the right turn signal (new drivers might find this feature a bit distracting at first, but it helps, trust me!). Of course, add to that 10+ airbags and good crash test ratings. Overall: A close to 10/10 vehicle. Not perfect, but something to consider if you really want something sporty, reasonably luxurious, and techy to boot! The 2015 model, for those interested in a newer rig, is pretty much identically equipped and priced (and a bit more powerful).